Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers 2018-2019-Buyer’s Guide & Reviews

Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers 2018-2019-Bluetooth speakers are incredibly popular because of their excellent portability, ease of use, and most importantly their versatility. We’ve listed the best Bluetooth speakers on the market, but what if you need a speaker that will survive a drop in a pool or a bath tub? That’s where the best waterproof speakers come in.best outdoor bluetooth speakers 2018-2019,best Portable bluetooth speakers 2018-2019

Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers 2018-2019--Now, we know that it would be frankly ridiculous if someone actually took a Bluetooth speaker into a swimming pool with them, but there’s something to be said about the peace of mind you get knowing that your new speaker won’t be irreparably damaged by a spilled drink.

Thankfully the days of waterproof speakers that sounded completely inferior to their water-vulnerable brethren is over. Manufacturers have been slowly improving the best waterproof speakers over the last few years – and now not only do they sound great, but they have a long battery life, and some are even portable enough to bring to the gym with you.

Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers 2018-2019--For music lovers, the hassle with wired speakers and other clutter for their music set up can prove to be too much. However, having to settle for smartphones, laptops or computers to play your music just doesn’t cut it. Thankfully, wireless speakers are the perfect compromise. All you need to do is connect your speaker to your device and enjoy quality music without the mess of wire clutter!

Wireless speakers receive audio signals using radio waves instead of audio cables. The batteries of these speakers usually last for about three to four hours. However, there are also some that are designed for rechargeable batteries and longer playtime. Lets check out our Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers 2018-2019 Below:

0.96875 pounds

Under 200$

1.5 pounds

Under 250$

1.93 pounds

Under 300$

3 pounds

Price:$24 Best Seller

Cambridge speaker tops the list of best wireless speakers of 2017. It produces crystal clear sound of the highest quality due to the two precision acoustic drivers.

Even at maximum volume, it provides distortion free sound with more bass. Like many other good portable speakers, it is sand proof, waterproof and dustproof. It can continuously play music for 12 hours, provided the volume is at 2/3 of the maximum level. It is lightweight and you can easily take it on long trips.

It connects to a number of devices via Bluetooth. It also has builtin mic for hands-free calling.

Price: $29.99With Deal: $23.95You Save: $6.04 (20%)

Anker SoundCore provides the best sound quality ever thanks to the dual high-performance drivers and the spiral bass port. No matter what your musical preference is you will be treated to an amazing sound quality.

The high capacity Li-ion battery lasts for 24 hours so you can play about 500 songs. It has excellent power management technology to enable this. You can connect your phone or tablet placed at up to 66 feet away.

It has a built-in mic for you to make calls. This speaker reconnects to the last connected device automatically when the Bluetooth is on.

Price: $39

This speaker is designed to give some real bass sounds. Whatever music you play, it ensures that it gives the best bass performance. Designed to be small yet powerful, its advanced battery technology lets you play music for 30 hours on a full charge (based on setting the volume to 2/3 of the maximum).

The speaker is waterproof, dustproof and sand proof, making it extremely versatile and suitable to be used anywhere. If you are planning some outdoor parties or a camping trip then this will be a great companion.

Price: $79

This Alexa enabled speaker allows you to play music from Pandora, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, and Spotify. When connected to Wi-Fi or a mobile hotspot, you can use the Alexa Voice Service to play audio files, order food or even get weather reports. You can connect your phone or tablet to this speaker via Bluetooth and listen to music.

At the entry level this Amazon product is one of the best Bluetooth stereo speakers. It provides 360-degree omnidirectional sound which is powered by Dolby and is very powerful. This makes it ideal for use at parties or in larger rooms.

The battery lets you play music for about 9 hours. The latest model has new features and more features are being added continually to improve it. You get a charging cradle along with the speakers too.

Pros:

Just tap and play Comes with a charging cradle Enjoy 9 hours of seamless playback

Price: $129

Bose SoundLink speaker produces loud sounds with deep bass, providing an impressive listening experience. It’s sleek and small design makes it easy for you to carry around wherever you go. The speakerphone in it allows you to take a call from anywhere.

The device has a Lithium-ion battery which plays music for 10 continuous hours when charged fully. It enables Bluetooth pairing using voice prompts which is easy and convenient. With one of the leading makers of audio equipment you cannot go wrong

Pros:

Deep bass with amazing sound quality Wireless and compact Easy to install and use

Price: $79

This speaker is specially designed to be sturdy, tough and durable. Its construction is strong and it comes with a rugged rubber housing. You can simultaneously connect three tablets or smartphones to the speaker and play audio turn by turn.

It has powerful sound quality too, and has a 3000mAH rechargeable battery which works for a continuous 10 hours.

You can enhance your listening experience by connecting a couple of JBL Connect enabled speakers. You can even connect your phone and accept calls using the speakerphone which has noise and echo canceling features. It is splash-proof meaning it works fine in rain or when something spills.

Pros:

Splash-proof Connect up to 3 smartphones or tablets at a time Easily talk over calls via speaker

Price: $19

Amazon Basics is a portable speaker which can connect to Bluetooth devices up to a distance of 33 feet. It enables you to play music, podcasts and much more. It comes with a 3.5mm aux in jack to connect audio devices that do not support the BT feature. There are 2 internal speakers of 2.5 watts and 2 full range drivers for producing high-quality sound.

Even when you play music at its loudest volume, this speaker gives rich bass without disturbance. When fully charged, the rechargeable battery lets you use it for 8 hours continuously. It has a built-in mic for hands-free calling. Overall, this speaker is small, portable, lightweight and comes in a variety of color choices.

Price: $29

This product from TaoTronics is designed to be sleek and compact. However, this doesn’t mean it lacks in power. It plays music with impressive clarity and volume. It has two 7W HD loudspeakers and two high-performance acoustic drivers and even comes with a Bluetooth connection and hands-free talking feature.

The buttons are simple and easy to use. It has a 4000mAh rechargeable battery which lets you play music for 8 hours in a row. Featuring a stable Bluetooth connection that allows you to play audio from up to 10 meters away, it can also be connected to most devices like smartphones, iPhones, and other BT-enabled devices.

Price: $114

This impressive device provides loud 360-degree sound with deep bass. Its features include IPX-7 rated waterproof for up to half an hour.

It’s also shockproof and a conveniently portable wifi speakers, so you can take it along for trips. For hands-free voice control of this speaker, you can connect with Echo Dot (2nd Generation). Using PartyUp, you can connect more than 50 UE Boom 2 speakers wirelessly.

The battery life is typically 15 hours and the Bluetooth wireless range is 100 feet.

Pros:

360-degree sound Versatile wireless device Easily switch songs and adjust volume even when you are 50 feet away Connect a range of devices on the go

Price: $19 Best Seller

VicTsing is a good speaker to take with you outdoors or even use it the shower. It has a metal hook made of Aluminum alloy for you to hang it anywhere. The design of the interface and the silicon cases enable you to use it in harsh environments too. This makes it ideal for camping trips.

The device is dustproof, waterproof and shockproof. It is a 5W speaker which supports A2DP and streams stereo sound with absolute clarity and full range output. It features a built-in MIC Bluetooth speaker and hands-free function so you can easily connect it to your smartphone and answer calls. Another plus point is the rechargeable battery which plays audio for continuous 6 hours.

Pros:

Perfect for outdoors and while you shower Built in rechargeable battery Built in hands-free and Bluetooth function for phone calls

The JBL Charge 3 presents an incredibly attractive package. This speaker features a battery that can last more than 20 hours – and can even charge your phone in a pinch, plus it features the meatiest bass out of all the speakers in this list. However, the JBL Charge isn’t exactly the most lightweight speaker in the world, but if you’re a bass head and you don’t mind adding a bit of weight to your bag, the Charge 3 might just be for you.

Ultimate Ears are absolutely one of the greatest manufacturers in the Bluetooth speaker space, so it’s only natural that they’d end up on our list of the best waterproof speakers. The UE Wonderboom stands well above its weight class, not only featuring weighty bass for a speaker so small, but music also sounds balanced and rich. You can even pair the Wonderboom with two devices simultaneously. It may not have the largest soundstage and doesn’t have a speakerphone option, but the Wonderboom still ticks all the right boxes.

The UE Boom 2 is the UE Wonderboom’s big brother, offering even more precious decibels and finer detail. It also lasts about 25% longer than the Wonderboom and has useful features, like NFC and aux-in, for older devices. It’s a little bigger and heavier, but with that added bulk it does offer longer battery life. (Oh, and if you want even more umph, the Megaboom – again from Ultimate Ears – is a pretty great choice, as well.)

If you still don’t know about Fugoo, you’re certainly missing out on some of the best waterproof speakers in the world. The Fugoo Style not only offers the longest battery life of any speaker on this list, (40 hours!) it also comes in at a tiny one pound. Fugoo’s design philosophy is to offer different ‘jackets’ (Style, Tough or Sport) to fit around its ‘core’ speaker to fit different styles. The Fugoo Style offers a great blend of size, sound fidelity and battery life for an affordable price.

In terms of sheer audio prowess, the JBL Pulse 3 was a pleasant surprise. While it’s light show may lead you to believe that it’s all a gimmick, the Pulse 3 actually offers a very well balanced tonal balance: Highs have good extension but are a little rolled off. Bass offers good slam and texture, but bleeds into the mids a little. If you’re not an audiophile, none of this matters – it sounds darn good and gets loud, making it the perfect companion for your next pool party.

If you want a great sounding Bluetooth speaker that’s waterproof and a conversation piece, the JBL Pulse 3 is the speaker to get.

The UE Megaboom is at the very peak of Ultimate Ears’ line of waterproof Bluetooth speakers. Its larger size means that the Megaboom can get loud and can last up to 20 hours at a sensible volume. Bass is stronger and richer than its smaller UE Boom 2 and Wonderboom brothers. This is the speaker for anybody who wants to really blare their music at a party. For people who want to save some cash, however, the JBL Charge 3 is half the price and performs similarly.

Bose is well known for making fantastic sounding audio equipment, and the SoundLink Color II is no different. This small speaker packs a stealthy punch, providing deep bass with a nice impact, but it obviously can’t match the sound of the larger speakers in this list. Now, while the SoundLink Color II sounds great, you should note that it’s not entirely waterproof. It’ll survive splashes and rain, but you don’t want to drop it in the bath.

The UE Roll 2 offers a unique disk form factor that’s perfect for taking to the pool. The speaker comes with its own float, which lets you listen to and control your tunes in the pool, something no other speaker on this list can do. It might not sound quite as good as the UE Wonderboom, as it’s lacking in the bass department, but it’s still a solid sounding speaker. If you don’t care about the form factor and float, however, the UE Wonderboom is the better buy.

The Fugoo Go is a unique Bluetooth speaker that comes with a built-in bungee cord, like the UE Roll 2, to help you mount it to different things. The Go can also pair with another Go speaker to play in stereo, something that other speakers on this list can’t do. Sure, UE allows you to pair up multiple speakers for more volume, but you won’t get true stereo playback. While we recommend the Fugoo Style for its class-leading battery life and excellent sound, the Fugoo Go is a good alternative for a lower price.

The name ‘BT6000’ doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, but this Philips speaker offers a lot for the price. Since it’s a couple of years old now, the BT6000 can also be found for quite a discount, adding to its value. Sure, it might not have the longest battery life and lacks bass at low volumes, but it still sounds great among the newer competition. But, like the Bose SoundLink Color II, users should note that this is a splash-proof only speaker, so don’t dunk it in the pool.

Read the full review:Philips BT6000

1 Best Overall: The JBL Flip 4 Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker

The JBL Flip 4 tops this list as the overall best outdoor Bluetooth speaker with an excellent combination of size, sound quality, loudness, bass response and a completely waterproof design. The sound quality of the Flip 4 is a vast improvement over its predecessor – the JBL Flip 3 – with stunning midrange, crisp highs and punchy bass that feels powerful and present. It features dual external passive bass radiators on the side of the speaker to enhance the bass response, which provides punchy beats in outdoor spaces to keep the party going. It features a built-in 3000mAh rechargeable battery which provides an incredible 12 hours of playtime on a single charge. You can also simultaneously connect up to 2 mobile smartphones or tablets to the JBL Flip 4 for wireless music streaming and switch between them at any time. Overall, the JBL Flip 4 is one of the most versatile and best outdoor Bluetooth speakers we have tested and is now selling at a very good price at the time of writing.

The sound performance of the JBL Flip 4 is phenomenal – it delivers extremely detailed midrange and crisp highs, with deep low-end frequency bass response that is enhanced by its passive bass radiators. Music performances through the Flip 4 sounded clear, crisp and well balanced; it can also go louder than its predecessor, the JBL Flip 3 which is an added improvement. The sound quality feels rich and detailed, and you can crank up the volume on this outdoor speaker without any distortion at near maximum volume levels. Vocal performances sounded detailed with amazing soundstage and music separation which felt incredibly life-like. Listening to electronic and hip-hop music also sounded very good and enjoyable to listen to with deep and punchy beats. We were truly impressed with the sound performance of the JBL Flip 4 considering its compact and portable size. It is truly one of the best outdoor Bluetooth speakers you can rely on to deliver great sound performance in an outdoor open environment.

The JBL Flip 4 is designed to be rugged with an IPX7 waterproof exterior which makes it fully waterproof – you can even submerge the Flip 4 underwater without having to worry about damaging the speaker circuitry. The speaker weighs only a mere 1.4 lbs and is designed to be highly compact and portable. It also has a nice carabiner-like string at the top of the speaker which you can use to tie the speaker to your backpack or bicycle while outdoors. The button controls are located on the top of the speaker and are intuitive and easy to use – it has a power on/off button, Bluetooth connectivity button, pause/play and volume controls. The speaker also indicates the battery life at the top of the speaker when powered on, which allows you to know exactly when to recharge. We also liked the fact that the JBL Flip 4 came with the JBL Connect+ feature which you can use to link to more than 3 speakers at a time to create a bigger and wider soundstage, which is an incredibly useful feature outdoors.

The Bluetooth connectivity on the JBL Flip 4 works like a charm and connecting it to our mobile device took a few seconds. The speaker will remember your device and automatically pair the next time you switch the speaker on – this is a really convenient feature which helps save time. The music quality streamed over the Bluetooth connection was really good and we did not experience any sudden dips or drops in sound quality. The Bluetooth range lasts a good 33 feet before the connection starts to dip off. The JBL Flip 4 also comes with a built-in noise and echo cancellation speakerphone for you to take hands free calls on the go. This is especially useful if you need to switch between listening to music and taking calls while driving or riding a bicycle.

The Verdict? The JBL Flip 4 easily tops this list as the overall best outdoor Bluetooth speaker of 2017 with exceptional sound performance, portability and a fully waterproof design now available at a very good price. The speaker is capable of producing very high quality sound with crisp highs, detailed midrange and a good deal of bass with its passive bass radiators on both sides of the speaker. The sound performance of the Flip 4 is simply incredible considering the compact size of this speaker. The JBL Flip 4 also feels high quality and durable, and is rugged enough for you to take it outdoors without any issues. It also comes with an incredible 3000mAh rechargeable battery that delivers an incredible 12 hours of continuous music playtime. It’s a truly comprehensive and versatile outdoor Bluetooth speaker that delivers the quality and toughness that outdoor enthusiasts need.

#2 Most Portable: The Omaker M4 Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker

The Omaker M4 is one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers with an impressive 12 hours of playtime and excellent sound performance. The speaker is designed to produce full and crystal clear sound quality and robust bass with its 3W audio driver and passive subwoofer. It also features the latest Bluetooth 4.0 technology with a good connection range of up to 33 feet, and the latest NFC technology allows you to instantly connect with your bluetooth audio device in a single tap. The M4 is also IP54 rated, which means that it will survive direct splashes of water and also comes with a shockproof and dustproof rugged exterior. To top it off, the M4 outdoor bluetooth speaker is now selling at an incredible budget price at the time of writing.

We were impressed with the sound performance considering the size of the M4. We found that the sound is clear without distortion and the bass well above average for a speaker of this size – the songs with the most bass made the speaker shake. The speaker produces crisps highs and mids, and the volume can get really loud with this speaker considering it is running on a 3W driver. We felt that the treble on the speaker was also really nice, clear and pleasant to listen to. The volume and sound actually sounds about the same regardless of whether the speaker is facing upwards, towards you, or away from you, which is a good feature for an outdoor speaker.

The M4 is specifically designed for outdoor rugged use. It is made of a high quality plastic material which feels really nice to hold in the hands. We also felt that this speaker was really lightweight at a mere 0.7 pounds, although it looks incredibly sturdy and durable. It’s designed with splash-proof, shock proof, dust proof features which make it suitable for outdoors and even for use in the shower. We liked the unique rugged square design of the M4 and the compact size of this speaker makes it extremely portable. The speaker dimensions are 1.8” x 3.2” x 3.2” which is perfect for travel or outdoor use.

The biggest advantage of the M4 is the extended battery life of 1500 mAH. This is enough to last you up to 12 hours of music at 80% volume, which is great for outdoor activities as it will last you all day and is made for rugged use. The speaker also comes with a micro USB cable, AUX cable for non-bluetooth devices and a lanyard for carrying. The speaker also allows you to take hands free calls from its in-built microphone.

The Verdict? The Omaker M4 is one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers you can find with a whopping 12 hours of battery life and superb audio performance. We were really impressed with how good this speaker sounds outdoors, producing excellent bass and crisp highs and mids without distortion at high/max volumes. The splashproof and rugged designed is also a very good feature for you to take this speaker through harsh outdoor elements. It’s also designed to be highly compact and lightweight, so you can easily carry it around with you. At the time of writing, the M4 is now selling at a very good budget price, so don’t forget to check it out!

#3 Best Budget Outdoor Speaker: The Photive HYDRA

The Photive Hydra is one of the most popular and undoubtedly one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers that money can buy. In terms of quality and value, you cannot go wrong with these outdoor speakers. The Photive Hydra is encased in a smooth grippy rubber on all sides. The speaker itself is protected by a tough metal grill, and the accessory ports are covered by a flexible round pop off cap. The lid stays on well but if it was designed a little tougher this speaker may actually be able to be submerged under water. It’s current IPX6 rating means that it can survive being exposed to splashes of water from all directions but not entirely submerged, which is really good for a speaker of this size.

The sound of the Photive Hydra is what makes this a little beast. The audio performance is spectacular – it has excellent clarity and you can hear the separation between instruments and vocals as if they are coming out of different speakers. The bass is not earth shattering but it does sound good and punchy for a speaker of this size. You can get even more bass by using a reflective surface like a box, bucket or cooler to bounce the sounds back. That being said, the amount of sound coming out from the Hydra is simply outstanding with no distortions at high volumes. It also comes equipped with a passive subwoofer and two 40 mm drivers. We were surprised at how good this speaker sounded for its price.

Setting up the speaker was simple. It was very easy to connect and the sound effects are simple beeps. The latency is close to zero, which means you can use it to watch movies or TV shows with no distracting delay between the picture and sound. The lithium ion rechargeable battery also provides 8 hours of uninterrupted playtime with a single charge via USB. It also contains AUX cable inputs should you prefer not to use the bluetooth.

The Verdict? The Photive Hydra is without a doubt one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers at this price range. It packs a big punch in a small package, and is built like a tank to withstand the outdoor elements. It’s portability is an added plus too – if you are looking for a rugged outdoor speaker to take along a hiking trip, this is the speaker you should consider. It is now selling at an amazing price point so be sure to snap this one before it sells out!

#4 Best Sound Quality: OontZ Angle 3 Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker

The Cambridge Soundworks OontZ Angle 3 is one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers ever designed with high quality crystal clear sound and waterproof resistance. The speaker is designed to be IPX5 splashproof, rainproof, dustproof and is perfect for use at the beach or the poolside, and can easily resist water splashes although it cannot be fully submerged in water. The OontZ Angle 3 comes equipped with two high precision acoustic drivers which deliver distinct mids, crisp highs and enhanced bass from its integrated passive bass radiator. Furthermore, the Angle 3 is designed to be extremely portable, weighing just less than 10 ounces. It has an integrated 2200 mAh rechargeable battery that can deliver a stunning 12 hours of continuous playtime on a single charge. You can also connect a variety of bluetooth devices to this speaker such as the iPhone, iPad, iPod, Macbook and other bluetooth mobile devices and it will pair without any issues. If you are looking for one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers that will deliver incredible sound performance on a budget price, the OontZ Angle 3 comes highly recommended.

The sound quality of the OontZ Angle 3 is extremely good – the two precision acoustic drivers provide very crisp, distortion-free stereo sound with very good quality. The highs and the midrange on the music is detailed and clear, and you can really hear the subtle notes and beats in the music with crystal clarity. Furthermore, the OontZ Angle 3 delivers richer and deeper bass than other outdoor bluetooth speakers due to its integrated passive bass radiator, which makes playing music on this speaker a truly enjoyable listening experience. The speaker can also get really loud with a total combined power of 10Ws and can fill any room or outdoor party with music without distortion at maximum volume, which is ideal if you want to take this speaker for an outdoor party or by the poolside. On the whole, the sound performance of the OontZ Angle 3 exceeded our expectations – it was smooth, crisp, detailed on every level and the bass sounded very punchy and tight. The sound signature on this speaker is best described as warm and leaning towards the bass-heavy range.

The OontZ Angle 3 has a lightweight and sturdy design with no sharp edges or corners and has a good gripe when held in the hand. The speaker is IPX5 water resistant which means that you can take this speaker out in the rain or by the pool and it can easily resist water splashes, although you should not fully submerge this speaker in water. The overall appearance of the Angle 3 looks very durable and solid; the rubbery exterior of the speaker protects the speaker from outdoor elements and gives a sleek and minimalist appearance to the speaker. The Angle 3 also has rubber strips on the bottom of the speaker to increase its stability and prevent it from shaking around when playing music at high volumes. The Angle 3 weighs less than 10 ounces which makes it super easy to carry around in your backpack or to take it with you on the go. If you are looking for a reliable outdoor speaker to take with you on the go, the Angle 3 will definitely surpass your expectations.

The bluetooth connectivity on the Angle 3 is fast and smooth – we did not experience any dips or drops in sound performance while connected to the speaker via our mobile device. You can easily pair the speaker by turning on the bluetooth and searching for it with your device, and click on the Angle 3 to pair. The bluetooth connectivity has a distance of about 33 feet, which is pretty incredible for a speaker of this size. Furthermore, the Angle 3 comes with an built-in microphone for hands free calls, allowing you to switch between taking calls and listening to music on the go. It also comes with a 3.5mm auxiliary jack in case you need to connect the Angle 3 to non-bluetooth music sources.

The Verdict ?The Cambridge Soundworks OontZ Angle 3 is hands down one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers you can get and is now selling an amazing price point at the time of writing. The sound performance of the OontZ Angle 3 is phenomenally good, with crisp highs, detailed midrange and stunning low end bass which is enhanced by its passive bass radiator. We were surprised at how good the Angle 3 sounded for a speaker of this size. Furthermore, it comes with a 2200 mAh battery which delivers an incredible 12 hours of playtime, together with an IPX5 water resistant design which protects this speaker from the outdoor elements. If you are looking for an excellent outdoor bluetooth speaker at an affordable price that will surpass expectations, the OontZ Angle 3 will not disappoint.

#5 Most Durable: Vtin Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker

The Vtin is one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers with incredibly powerful 20W drivers, offering impressively clear and crisp sound at a budget price. The Vtin is loud and powerful enough to fill a large room or outdoor space with music, and its high quality acoustic drivers are capable of delivering a clear, well-balanced, full range listening experience. This 20W speaker features a built-in 4400mAh battery, which can provide an amazing 25 hours of continuous playtime at 70% volume on a single charge – this is especially good if you intend to take this speaker outdoors for a few days on a hiking or camping trip. The speaker is also designed to be IPX4 waterproof, which means that you can use it by the poolside, beach or on a rainy day and it will be able to take direct splashes of water without any issues. The Bluetooth connectivity on the Vtin is very good, and it is compatible with virtually all Bluetooth devices include iphone, Android, laptops, and iPads, with a range of up to 33 feet. We also liked the fact that this speaker comes with a nice “D” ring which you can use to attach the speaker to your backpack or bicycle. If you are looking for one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers that has phenomenal battery life and sound performance, the Vtin may be your answer.

The Vtin sounds very premium and can easily fill up large open spaces with sound without any distortion at maximum volume. The Vtin comes equipped with high powered dual 10 W drivers which pump out very crisp and clear sound which can get very loud. The sound quality is pretty good on the whole and the music from this speaker sounded clear and detailed, with very minimal interference or dips in sound performance. We were quite surprised that the Vtin was able to capture and bring up the subtle details in the music – there was a certain degree of soundstage and music separation on this speaker that made listening to the Vtin an enjoyable experience. This outdoor bluetooth speaker is especially ideal if you intend to use it for outdoor activities like biking, driving or on a camping trip and it will easily fill up these outdoor spaces with good quality music. That being said, we did find the Vtin somewhat lacking in the low-end bass reproduction, although this is to be expected from a speaker of this size.

Where the Vtin really shines it is phenomenal battery life and incredibly study design. The battery life on this speaker is an incredible 4400 mAh which means that you can play up to 25 hours of music on this speaker on a single charge. We also liked the overall design of this speaker which gave it pretty sleek and modern appearance; the speaker itself is IPX4 water resistant and will be able to take direct splashes of water – just don’t submerge it fully into water. The speaker is constructed to be extremely tough and portable at the same time, and you can easily fit it into a backpack or luggage while travelling. The Vtin also comes with a nice carabiner hanger so that you can hook it to your backpack while embarking on an outdoor adventure.

The blutooth connectivity on the Vtin is superb. We were able to connect our wireless mobile device to this speaker almost instantaneously, and the speaker will remember your mobile device which makes future pairing automatic. We also liked the fact that this speaker comes with an auxiliary input which means that it will function as a laptop or desktop speaker as well. The size of this speaker is just nice (7” x 2.75” x 2”) which allows you to easily grab it with one hand and carry it around. The entire package comes with an included auxiliary cable, one carabiner hook, one USB charging cable and a detailed user instruction manual for the controls.

The Verdict? If you are looking for one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers in terms of durability and battery life, the Vtin is definitely a great choice now available at a very good price point. The battery life on this speaker lasts an incredible 25 hours of continuous playtime, and the sound on this speaker can easily fill up a large open space without any distortion at maximum volume. Furthermore, the sound quality on this speaker is very good, with crisp and detailed sound reproduction with a good midrange. Although the low-end bass on this speaker is somewhat lacking, this is partially made up for how loud these speakers can go. The acoustic drivers on the Vtin have a combined power output of 20Ws of pure sound, making it one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers you can find on a budget price.

The Anker SoundCore Sport XL is one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers in terms of sound performance, versatility and battery life. The SoundCore Sport XL has a whopping battery life of up to 15 hours with its high capacity built-in rechargeable battery, which doubles as mobile charger for your phone or tablet devices. The sound performance on this outdoor bluetooth speaker is superb, and pumps out an incredible combined 16W volume with its 2 X 8W stereo drivers with dynamic frequency response. The bass output is also enhanced with its dual passive subwoofers. This speaker is hands down one of the toughest speakers in the market, and is IP67 waterproof (up to 1m depth) and dust tight, which makes it the perfect speaker for outdoor enthusiasts.

The sound performance of the Anker SoundCore is phenomenal. The sound quality is superb, pumping out crisp and detailed stereo music without any static noise or distortion at high volumes. The sound itself feels very clean, and delivers natural clear sound in outdoor environments. The great aspect about this speaker is how loud it can go – the speaker can pump out a massive 16W of volume which is perfect for outdoor parties. The speaker also produces decent highs and crisp mids, which is pretty good for a speaker of this size. The treble and midrange sounds balanced, which means that you can listen to a wide range of music on this speaker without any issues. The bass response on this speaker is also good and enhanced by the passive bass radiators.

The Anker SoundCore Sport is built like a tank. The size of the speaker is about 7 X 3 X 1.75 inches and has a very sturdy exterior protected by rubbery plastic. The speaker is very solidly constructed and can definitely withstand rigorous outdoor use with its rugged and waterproof encasing – it is IP67 waterproof and shock resistant and dust-tight. It can easily withstand extreme conditions and tough treatment, which is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Furthermore, it comes with an amazing 15 hours of battery life which is ample time for outdoor adventures.

The Anker SoundCore also comes with advanced Bluetooth 4.1 technology with an extended range of 66ft, with quality bluetooth audio transmission for high quality music. You can also make hands free calls with the built-in noise cancelling microphone, making it a very versatile outdoor bluetooth speaker. The speaker package also includes a micro USB cable, hand strap and a good 18 month warranty from the manufacturer which is highly value for money.

The Verdict? The Anker SoundCore Sport XL is hands down one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers in terms of versatility, sound performance and battery life. It is extremely well constructed and durable, and is waterproof up to a depth of 1m. We really liked the fact that the speaker can run for a continuous period of 15 hours which is really incredible – you can even charge your mobile devices using this speaker as a power bank. The sound performance is clean, detailed and crisp, with decent bass response from the passive bass radiators. The Anker SoundCore Sport XL is now selling at an amazing price point at the time of writing, so don’t forget to check it out!

#7 Best Design: FUGOO Sport Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker

If you are looking for a super rugged outdoor bluetooth speaker that is 100% waterproof, mud-proof, snow-proof and shockproof with over 40 hours of battery life, the FUGOO Sport is undoubtedly one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers in this price range. It has six drivers on four sides for a 360-degree sweet spot and incredible 95db SPL-A volume, with built-in microphone to take calls while outdoors. This outdoor bluetooth speaker also features six speakers with two tweeters, two woofers and two passive radiators – with four active drivers. With 40 hours of continuous battery life, this is hands down one of the best and most rugged speaker we have ever come across.

Where the FUGOO Sport excels is in its sound quality and audio performance. Not only does it play clean and loud, but the sound is accurate. While some other speakers may artificially over-emphasize the bass notes, this may result in a lot of songs not sounding right. The Fugoo Sport performs a much more difficult acoustic feat: providing great bass without making the bass muddy. Additionally, the speakers are tilted upwards at an eight degree angle to ensure that you hear your music the way it is intended to be heard. We were very much impressed by the overall sound performance of this outdoor speaker – the manufacturers went to great lengths to get every detail right.

The waterproof/durable design of the Fugoo truly set this speaker apart from the others. The Fugoo looks tough enough to survive getting drop-kicked by a rugby team. It offers the highest incursion protection rating of IP67 – which means that it is completely waterproof. The Fugoo is also designed to be submerged underwater at 3 feet for 30 minutes without damaging the inner circuits. The Fugoo Sport also comes with a strap / multi-mount which provides different mounting options for your wireless speaker. If you are keen to take this outdoor speaker to rugged terrain the strap is a very nice added touch. You can hook it on with a rope or carabiner loop, tripod mounting socket, strap or belt spring clip.

That said, the most outstanding aspect of the Fugoo sport is the battery life – it really blew us away by lasting all day long. Fugoo claims the speaker lasts a full 40 hours – so far we can confirm that it lasts for more than 30 hours. You could take it on a weekend outdoor trip and you would probably still have battery power in the speaker after the weekend! Combining durability with a super-long battery life opens all kinds of new possibilities for outdoor junkies.

The Verdict? We absolutely loved every single detail that the manufacturers put into the Fugoo Sport. It is hands down one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers, and is now selling at a very good price at the time of writing. If you are looking for a speaker that excels in terms of sound performance, durability, construction, portability and battery life, we would highly recommend this outdoor bluetooth speaker.

#8 Large Sound Output: AOMAIS Sport II Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker

The AOMAIS Sport II is one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers with a full IPX7 waterproof design and capable of producing a staggering 20Ws of incredible sound. The speaker is designed to be fully waterproof which means that you actually submerge this speaker for up to 1 meter for 30 minutes underwater – you can take this speaker outdoors by the pool or the sea and never have to worry about dropping it into the water. The speaker also comes with 20W acoustic drivers with advanced digital noise reduction technology to deliver premium acoustic sound, with clear balanced mids and low end bass response. You can even connect two AOMAIS Sport II speakers together to create left and right channels for a surround sound experience. The speaker is designed to be durable, rugged and tough with a smooth rubber exterior that protects the speaker from outdoor elements and impact. It also comes with a nice 1800 mAh rechargeable battery which can deliver a good 10 hours of continuous playtime at 50% volume. The speaker features Bluetooth 4.0 technology with NFC technology for simple one-touch pairing with your mobile device. If you are looking one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers with full waterproof design and great sound, the Sport II is definitely the one to get.

The sound performance of the AOMAIS Sport II was phenomenal. It is designed for pure volume output and will easily fill up a large open space with sound, which is perfect for outdoor parties or gatherings. The sound quality of the Sport II feels good and it does not distort at higher volumes. The sound performance feels smooth and detailed throughout, and this speaker is also able to bring out the treble and crisp highs quite well, with a little sparkle in the music reproduction. The bass response on the Sport II is decent, and does get pretty thumping when maxed out on the volume. The interesting thing about the Sport II is that you are able to pair two of these speakers together to get surround sound music, which is pretty awesome. Furthermore, the speaker also features a screw on the bottom which you can use to mount it on a bike or tripod, and an inflatable floating pad for you to take it with you at the pool. Overall, the Sport II is definitely one of the more versatile outdoor bluetooth speakers you can find that delivers very good sound performance with decent bass and rich sound.

The design of the Sport II is simply top-notch. It is certified IPX7 waterproof which means that you can fully submerge it in water for up to one meter depth without any issues. The speaker is also designed to be extremely solid and durable, and will not be damaged even if you accidently drop it. The entire exterior of the speaker is constructed with smooth rubber which absorbs any impact on the speaker and the speaker has a very sleek and modern looking appearance. That being said, the speaker does feel a little heavy around 21 ounces, which makes it one of the heavier outdoor bluetooth speakers on this list. The speaker also comes with well written instruction manual, auxiliary cable for non-bluetooth music sources and a standard USB charging cord.

The Bluetooth connectivity on the AOMAIS Sport II is very quick and stable. It features NFC technology which automatically reconnects to your mobile device once you turn on the Bluetooth connection. It also features buttons on the top of the speaker for you to control the volume, skip song tracks and answer calls – the Sport II has an integrated microphone for you to take hands free calls on the go. The speaker also has a power indicator which lights up green when turned on, and a low battery light that turns on indicating that the speaker needs to be recharged.

The Verdict? The AOMAIS Sport II is one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers that is fully waterproof and is now selling at an amazing price point at the time of writing. The Sport II is designed to deliver rich, detailed sound quality with its acoustic drivers that pump out a combined total of 20W of pure power. The sound on this speaker can easily fill up large open spaces and does not distort at maximum volume. We also liked the fact that you can pair up two of these speakers together to get left and right channels to increase the sound dispersion. The speaker has a very sleek and modern appearance with a rubbery exterior to protect it from drops and impact, making it ideal to take outdoors. Furthermore, it comes with Bluetooth NFC technology for quick and easily pairing with your mobile device. If you are looking one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers that can test the limits of what you can throw at it, the AOMIAS Sport II will definitely impress you.

#9 Best Waterproof Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker: SHARKK 2O

The SHARKK 2O is one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers on the market which is completely waterproof (IP67) and dustproof. It has great sound output; with dual 4W loudspeakers and high quality stereo sound, this speaker packs a surprisingly powerful punch. You can connect to it using NFC, Bluetooth or the auxiliary cable and you can also plug in up to a 32 GIG micro SD card that has thousands of songs loaded onto it. The speaker weighs in at 1.25 pounds and it is ruggedly built for having fun outdoors.

Once we turned on the device we were quite amazed at the sound quality, specifically the bass that this speaker puts out. It really thumps and the sound can go very loud without distortion. We put this speaker through a waterproof test to see if it actually worked. We were amazed that after submerging this speaker twice and playing music during the test that we had zero issues with it afterwards and all the components were completely dry inside.

The SHARKK 2O excels in terms of functionality and rugged design. It has an extremely long bluetooth range of 60+ feet of uninterrupted music streaming, with the highest waterproof rating available at IP67. This means that it will function normally even if its dipped into water to a depth of 1 meter (3.1 feet) Furthermore, it comes with a built-in micro SD card slot to allow you to take it to the beach, pool or outdoors without having to worry about your phone. The built-in mic and voice prompts on this outdoor bluetooth speaker works well for hands-free calls on most mobile devices. The best part is that the 2O comes with a rechargeable 2200-mAH lithium ion battery which will keep the bass pumping for up to 10 hours on a full charge.

This outdoor bluetooth speaker is sharp looking with both silver trim and gray rubberized cover. Both the front and rear grilles blend nicely with the rest of the speaker. Both the look and solid feel of this speaker boasts quality. Out of the box you can feel that this is a very sturdy speaker it has some weight to it and the military grade rubber that goes around it is functional and pleasing to the eye.

Apart from the solid design, there is a rubberized flap that you can lift to charge the speaker, plug in the Aux cable or micro SD card. Having said that, when you are using the Aux cable or charging the speaker it is not waterproof; you have to securely close the flap to maintain the dust and water tigt specifications. There are also 3 LEDs on the side near the waterproof power button. Zero LEDs on means the battery is low, 1 LED means 30%, 2 LEDs means 60% and 3 LEDs means 100 percent capacity.

The Verdict? If you are looking for a heavy duty, completely waterproof and rugged outdoor bluetooth speaker, the SHARKK 2O will easily fit your description. It is heavily armoured with military grade rubberized materials to keep it dust and waterproof, and can also be completely submerged into water up to 1 meter depth. It has an amazing 10 hour battery life, comes with a micro-SD card (in case you don’t want to use your handphone), as well as a full year warranty. At the time of writing, the 2O is selling at an amazing budget price, so don’t forget to snap it up before it sells out!

#10 Best Build Quality: Braven BRV-X Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker

The Braven BRV-X is designed for outdoor enthusiasts – it is built with a 5200 mAh power bank which delivers a solid 12 hour of playtime, together with an ultra-rugged, IPX7 waterproof exterior and shockproof rubber cover. It has hands down one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers that you can buy in terms of durability – you can even customize your listening experience for any environment by choosing indoor or outdoor mode. It is by far one of the most durable, solid and tough outdoor bluetooth speaker that can take whatever you throw at it. The speaker even includes a built-in, noise cancelling microphone which allows for easy hands-free phone calls on the go.

The sound quality of the BRV-X is near perfect for the size comparison of speakers in it’s class. The bluetooth speaker does sound really good, clear crisp and loud with no distortion at maximum volume. The speaker also produces decent punchy bass, which is pretty amazing considering the size of this speaker. The speaker produces great sound quality and volume – we ran this speaker at 80% volume for over 6 hours and the battery meter showed it was still well above 50% charged.

To give you an idea of how loud the BRV-X can go, on a quiet street with no traffic, you can hear the speaker 50-60 feet away in “indoor” mode. In “outdoor” mode you can hear the speaker at 60 – 80 feet away, although the bass would be reduced at further distances. The sound was accurate and clear, and sounded smooth without distortion. You can even pair two BRV-X speakers together using the app to create an immerse left and right stereo experience.

That said, the BRV-X speaker is slightly heavier than other conventional outdoor bluetooth speakers – this might be a factor for some to consider when taking this speaker on a hiking adventure, although it may actually be worth it for the sound. For those who want to do water sports, this speaker will definitely survive a beating from water splashes and is adequately protected for outdoor enjoyment.

The Verdict? If you are looking for one of the most durable, best outdoor bluetooth speakers, the Braven would be an obvious choice. This outdoor bluetooth speaker sounds great, has nice features, connects with no problems, is tough, will take a beating/built like a tank, water proof, and pretty much everything you need to survive the outdoor elements. The audio drivers deliver big clean crisp sound with a nice bassy punch, in addition to its heavy duty battery life. We would highly recommend this speaker for the outdoor enthusiasts and at the time of writing it is now selling at a very attractive price point!

Special Mention: The UE BOOM 2 Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker

The UE BOOM 2 is one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers you can find the market. It is waterproof, shockproof, designed for adventure (it is IPX7 rated waterproof up to 30 minutes and up to a depth of one meter). The sound on this outdoor bluetooth speaker is insanely good, with a loud 360 degree sound with deep bass and rich treble tones without sounding tinny or the bass distorting.

The manufacturers claim that this device is 25% louder than the original UE Boom, and it can get pretty loud with no problems filling a large room or area with music. At full volume, you basically need to yell at each other to be heard over this speaker. The bass rolls off around 75% volume, and with the music of DSP, it still sounds clear even when maxed out. We found little to no distortion at full volume. The frequency response of these outdoor speakers are 90Hz – 20kHz, which means you will get more audible bass on your tracks. This unit has slightly larger, (1 ¾”) drivers as well as 2 (1 ¾” x 3”) passive radiators.

The sound performance of the UE Boom 2 is truly impressive for an outdoor speaker of this size. When we tested the UE Boom 2 outdoors, we found that the sound was rich, layered and detailed, with crisp highs and mids and a noticeable low. The bass on these speakers are simply incredibly punchy and impactful, making every beat of the music come to live – playing electronica and rock or pop on these speakers sounded particularly good and we felt like we were in a disco party. The sound can go loud enough for outdoor parties, and the sound feels immersive and smooth throughout. We can safely say that the UE Boom 2 is easily hands down one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers in terms of sound quality at an affordable price.

The Boom speaker itself is an art in simplicity. On the top you have a power button and a Bluetooth connecter button. On the bottom you have a 3.5mm jack plug and the Micro-USB charging interface. Both of these are hidden behind covers which fit tightly and make them waterproof. One face of the almost cylindrical speaker houses two large volume buttons and that is all there is to it really. The speaker itself is actually quite small, roughly the size of a can of beer so is easily carried around, put in a bag or luggage to take on vacation with you etc. It has a very good portable design for you to bring your music anywhere outdoors.

Connection to your bluetooth device is simply a matter of pressing the Bluetooth connecter button on the top of the speaker and looking through the list of available Bluetooth devices on your phone, tablet or whatever and selecting the Boom. It is very intuitive interface to use and you would be up and running in a matter of seconds. Furthermore, this speaker has a whopping 15 hour battery life and 100 ft. bluetooth wireless range. The Boom 2 charges very quickly in around the 3 hour mark compared to other outdoor bluetooth speaker models.

The Verdict? The Boom 2 is one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers to take with you when you go on outdoor adventures or places that require exposure to the elements. It is loud, crisp, easy to use and weatherproof. If you are looking for an excellent portable speaker you cannot really go wrong with the Boom 2. Furthermore, at the time of writing, this incredible outdoor bluetooth speaker is now selling at a very good price point.

Special Mention: Bose SoundLink Color II Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker

The Bose SoundLink Color II is one of the most versatile and best outdoor bluetooth speakers currently available. This little unit pumps out clear, full-ranged sound which exceeding all our expectations from sound expected from a compact speaker. It also features up to 8 hours of music from rechargeable lithium-ion battery, fast wireless connection and voice prompts which make pairing your devices easier than ever. Because of its portability and powerful sound, this little unit has all the positives of the “boom boxes” with the added benefit of smaller dimensions and longer battery life. In addition, the speaker itself is IPX4-rated water resistant and can resist sprays of water in all directions.

The SoundLink Color II excels in terms of audio performance. It puts out a rich, clean, clear sound. The bass is present without being overwhelming and the higher notes do not get tiny. It has a deep, warm bass that is quite characteristic of Bose products. The unit also handled guitar and cappella very well without muddying the purity of the unaccompanied human voice. It also stood up on the subtle complexities of guitar, and had nice spatial differential between the notes. Overall, the SoundLink Color has a great combination of highs, mids and lows while not being over-laden with studio trickery and post-production enhancements.

We really liked how this unit is small enough to tuck into a day pack or oversize purse, which is simply outstanding for portability. The manufacturer specs note that the internal battery holds a charge up to 8 hours’ of playing time, which means you do not bring the provided power adaptor. The adaptor itself comes in two compact parts – a USB cable and a wall adaptor with fold-flat prongs. This outdoor bluetooth speaker will simultaneously recharge and perform as a speaker in about 60 – 70 minutes, which is pretty fast considering how long the battery lasts. The cool thing about this speaker is that you can also charge it using the micro USB cable.

In terms of appearance and durability, the SoundLink color features a smooth case with rounded corners. The one-piece top panel and two narrow vertical panels on the sides of the case are rubberized, with some flexibility. The control functions are printed on the surface of the top panel, and are pressure-sensitive, so there are no moving parts exposed. The narrow strips on the sides of the case give you a surer grip when lifting or moving the unit. The SoundLink and power supply are both well-machined. Overall, the unit seems sturdy and capable of withstanding daily use, including frequent movement and plugging and unplugging.

The Bose SoundLink is very easy to use – the initial setup takes just a few minutes, and can be done while you are recharging the battery. The spoken instructions are easy to follow. Then it’s a matter of getting your Bluetooth-enabled devices to recognize the speaker. Once this recognition process is complete, whenever the speaker is on, it will verbally identify any synched device that comes within range. And this is not a generic identification – the SoundLink uses the name you’ve assigned to each device. Toggling between devices is simple, too, just a matter of using the “pause” and “play” controls on your devices.

The Verdict? The Bose SoundLink Color II is a hands down fantastic and one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers that really challenge what you can expect of compact speakers. It’s really a rather elegant piece of audio equipment. It also feels heavy and extremely durable, making it the perfect outdoor companion for rugged adventures. It has one of the best combination of sound, portability and usability and the sound output from these speakers is deep, crisp and impactful. We would highly recommend this outdoor bluetooth speaker if you are looking for a rugged and high performance water resistant speaker from Bose.

Special Mention: UE ROLL 2 Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker

The UE Roll 2 is hands down one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers and one of our personal favorites. It’s designed to produce big, bold and beautiful sound from a small portable package and has a 15% louder sound than the original UE Roll. It features a stretchy, attachable marine-grade bungee for you to strap the speaker to your bike, backpack, kayak or whatever else you want to take your music. It’s also fully waterproof and can work flawlessly underwater – you can submerge this speaker in water for up to 30 minutes and a depth of 1 meter without having to worry about damaging it. The speaker itself is unbelievably light at a mere 0.7 lbs – which is about as heavy as a can of soda – making it one of the most portable and lightweight outdoor bluetooth speakers you can find. It also comes equipped with a superb 100 ft bluetooth wireless range and 9 hours of rechargeable battery life. To top it off, it also comes with a nice inflatable floatie for the speaker to float on water while playing your favorite music.

We were very impressed by the sound performance of the UE Roll 2. The 360 degree sound quality is very good and gets extremely loud. The bass output was also decent and deep and does not bleed into the mids; we did not notice any muddiness in the sound at all. That said, do not expect booming bass due to the size of this speaker. The audio is crisp and clear, and very pleasant to listen to. We tested this speaker from everything from country, classical, rock, pop to rap and we really liked the sound performance of this speaker. We would describe the UE Roll 2 as having a warm and smooth sound signature with balanced highs and mids. For an ultra-portable speaker of this size, we were really quite impressed by the sound quality and tight bass.

The UE Roll 2 is extremely solid and well-constructed. You can feel the quality of this speaker just by holding it on your hand. You can bring this speaker virtually anywhere in the rain, pool, or through harsh elements and it will work perfectly. We found that this speaker could deliver more than 8 hours of continuous playtime at high volume on a single charge while floating on the water.

Furthermore, this speaker comes with an app which you can install on your phone. The app allows you to turn the speaker on/off, change the volume and tinker with the choice of sound and bass output. We also liked the fact that UE keeps updating the app so you’ll always get the latest firmware. The speaker charges from a USB port with an included cord which is long and a nice bright yellow color. The bungee type bands on the back of this speaker are a great addition for you to hook it up to your backpack or bike. Apart from the long Bluetooth range of 100 ft, you can also connect up to two UE Rolls from a single bluetooth source for bigger sound. The smooth, reinforced shell of the speaker also comes in different fun colors to choose from: volcano, reef, sugarplum and atmosphere.

The Verdict? The UE Roll 2 is an exceptional outdoor speaker with phenomenal sound quality, sleek design and extraordinary battery life. We particularly liked the waterproof capabilities and the built-in bungie handle which makes it extremely convenient to take anywhere. We were also very impressed with the Bluetooth range and liked the app which you can install and control the sound outputs from your mobile device. All of these features, combined with an ultra-portable and sleek design, make the UE Roll 2 one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers you can find.

Special Mention: The Arespark 4.0 Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker

The Arespark 4.0 is one of the most advanced and best outdoor bluetooth speakers with an incredible 12 hours of battery life, incredible sound performance and some of the best features you can find in an outdoor speaker. It features the latest Bluetooth 4.0 technology which consumes less battery and connects to your device instantly, with a range of up to 33 feet. The speaker has in-built 2 x 1.5 inch total 7W powerful acoustic drivers which deliver a full-range sound performance and loud music from such a small package. The built-in li-ion 1700 mAh rechargeable battery guarantees up to 12 hours of playtime, and you can easily recharge the speaker in just 3-4 hours with the included micro USB cable. It also allows playback via a standalone micro SD/TF card. At the time of writing, this incredible outdoor bluetooth speaker is selling at a very good price point.

Our first impressions of the Arespark 4.0 are that it looks and feels very high quality, with premium materials and a perfect finish. The speaker is designed like a tank with weather protection and IPX4 water resistance, and feels and looks very robust. The Arespark is actually smaller than expected; it fits nicely in your hand and is extremely lightweight (weighing at just 1 pound). The speaker has a carabiner clip attached which comes in handy. The outside of the speaker has a rubberized feel to the edges and small sides, while the 2 large sides have a speaker mesh that has a ribbed design to protect the speaker. The speaker is splash/shock proof and can get wet from the occasional splashes of water without any issues – that said, you should not submerge the speaker directly into water.

The Arespark 4.0 is truly one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers in terms of sound performance. This speaker gets really loud – be sure to have the mid-hi speaker pointing towards you and the base to the back, and you will have a pleasant musical experience. We found that you can push your volume all the way and get no distortion with this speaker. The speaker produces really clear stereo and a crisp treble, which sounds very pleasant to listen to. The music has very decent bass and the speaker does shake a little due to the amount of bass produced. The quality audio streaming via Bluetooth was really good and we encountered no static noise while streaming. In fact, we were quite surprised at the call quality of this speaker – the microphone is sensitive enough that you can put it 3-4 feet away and still get your voice through crystal clear.

The battery charges fast (500mA@12V), and the battery lasts for an incredible 12 hours of playtime, which is essentially what you need in an outdoor bluetooth speaker. The speaker charges with a micro-USB to USB charging cable that is included. It also comes with a 3.5mm AUX cable for connecting to your non-bluetooth devices, and you can also plug in a Micro-SD card and play music straight from it. This can be a fantastic feature as you do not need to use any additional battery power from your phone. You can also take incoming calls through the in-built microphone on the top of the speaker, which is great if you are laying out by the pool or beach with your speaker.

The Verdict? The Arespark 4.0 is hands down one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers featuring the latest Bluetooth technology, extended battery life (of 12 hours) and outstanding audio performance. The speaker pumps out quality audio and the 7W in-built driver can make the volume go extremely loud, which is quite impressive for a speaker of this size. The music is crisp, clear and has very good bass performance. Furthermore, the speaker is designed to be rugged and water-resistant so you can take it virtually anywhere under the harsh elements without any issues. We also liked how premium and high quality this speaker feels and looks, and is small and compact enough for outdoor use. At the time of writing, this incredible outdoor bluetooth speaker is selling at an amazing price so check it out before it sells out!

Special Mention: The Trendwoo Music Tube

The Trendwoo Music Tube is a super sleek and modern looking outdoor bluetooth speaker. It is a highly versatile speaker with great quality sound for all music types. The speaker sounded really good with decent volume. We experimented a variety of music from Disney soundtracks to Michael Jackson to Bass Heavy dubstep tracks and it sounded good with all types of music. The frequency range was really good with some decent bass for a smaller speaker while maintaining clear mids and highs. The frequency and bass response range of this speaker is 25Hz to 15000Hz. There is a substantial amount of bass – so much that this outdoor speaker can vibrate itself right off the table! We were totally blown away by its superb and beautiful sound coming from this speaker.

The Trendwoo Music Tube makes it to the list as one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers because of its sound and excellent design. The tube design looks very sleek and nice with a rubber base for you to stand the speaker upright or along two rubber feet on the bottom if you want to lay the speaker down. The colored metal grill design, rubberized end caps and rubber bars on the base was very cool.The great thing about the tube design is that it can be inserted into a bike water bottle holder. The water resistant design provides rubber caps over ports. It also water-resistant rated IPX4. The connectivity on this speaker is very good with a bluetooth range of about 25-30 feet and has an aux input for wired use.

The one element that surprised us was that this speaker is directional, rather than omnidirectional, which means that the sound fires out from one side of the speaker. Laying the speaker down and pointing it the wrong way would result in muddied sound. To get the best quality sound, you have to point this speaker in a specific direction. That being said, the overall sound quality is excellent.

We also liked the additional add-on features, such as the built-in microphone for hands-free speaker phone calling which was cool.This outdoor bluetooth speaker also features a built-in high capacity 4000mAh rechargeable battery for up to 8 hours of playtime.

The Verdict? The Trendwoo Music Tube is clearly geared toward the portable factor and does a great job in what it is designed to do – to be more robust when out and about. It has a real Beats Pill design about it and it provides a lot of bass for such a small unit.

Special Mention: The Trendwoo X-Bass

The Trendwoo X-Bass is testament to the fact that great things do come in small packages. It is probably one of the sleekest looking outdoor bluetooth speakers and rocks even harder in the sound department. If you want to travel with style to the outdoors, this is the speaker to get. The Trendwoo X-Bass is slim and compact, with the perfect size to put into your pocket or bag. It gives you as clear and rich sound as you’d expect from any speaker on all frequencies, and it doesn’t lose quality as playing time goes on. The dual 3W speaker drivers create rich, deep sound from the pocket-sized speaker with very good bass response. This is really the best choice if you want a very portable speaker but aren’t willing to compromise on sound quality.

All the controls are on the top of the speaker: on/off, volume down, play/pause/handsfree/volume up. The volume up button gives you a short beep to let you know when you’ve reached maximum volume. All the various prompts you get are tones rather than voice prompts. On the back of the speaker is a flat that covers the AUX in port, Micro USB charging port and a reset button. An AUX (3.5mm jack) cable is provided as well as a USB to Micro USB charging cable.

We were very impressed with the design of the Trendwoo X-Bass. This outdoor bluetooth speaker has an IPX4 water-resistant design that protects it from being damaged by splashes, so you’d be fine if you get caught in the rain with this speaker. It even supports handsfree functionality – you can answer or hang up phone calls and finish Google Talk, Skype and video chat, even if the device is not by your side.

The Trendwoo brand always has decent speakers with unique colorful designs and decent sound. The X-Bass is their take on an uber thing portable design and overall this is an excellent job. The X-Bass really shines in its audio performance and is a little monster in the bass department. If you are looking for a portable speaker that has tremendous aesthetic appeal and convenience, then the Trendwoo X-Bass is a very good choice for under $50. The convenience of picking this up to move around cannot be understated (you can literally place it in your pocket). There are no problems with the connection without any interruptions or glitches. This is truly one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers in terms of value and bang on the buck.

The Verdict? In spite of being small and super-slim, the portable, wireless X-Bass speaker from Trendwoo actually packs some highly versatile features and incredible power – it plays music for 6 hours straight with potent bass, which is impressive for a speaker of this size. It’s well and truly one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers in terms of compactness and portability.

Special Mention: The Turcom AcoustoShock Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker

The Turcom AcoustoShock is one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers built for portability and durability which at the time of writing is now selling at a very good budget price. Its rugged and compact design gives outdoor enthusiasts the ability to listen to music anywhere. This unique outdoor speaker is dust-proof, shock-proof, and has a water-resistance rating of IPX-5, which means it can withstand a rain storm or direct splashes of water. Furthermore, this outdoor speaker contains 2 drivers and 2 active sub-woofers to deliver 30 Watts of power with high crisps without any distortion at maximum volume. In addition to the 2.2 Channel stereo sound output, it has the capability to answer calls with its integrated microphone.

The AcoustoShock is equipped with the latest NFC bluetooth technology which makes it easy and quick to connect smartphones, tablets, laptops or mp3 players to stream your music with minimum power consumption. It also has a 3.5 mm auxiliary cable for use with any non-bluetooth device. When we tested this speaker, we were happy to find out that the speaker volume does not level down as the battery life drains – this speaker has a 8,000 mAh lithium ion rechargeable battery, allowing up to 7 hours of continuous music. You can even use the external battery as an external power source to charge your mobile device through the USB connection.

The downside of the AcoustoShock, however, is taking a call on it – we experienced some distortion hearing the person talking at the other end at max volume. That said, overall the AcoustoShcok is probably a close 2nd to a Bose Soundlink 3 and it is IPX-5 water-resistant. It also costs considerably less than a Bose Soundlink with the added portability and ruggedness. With its water resistant, dust-proof, dirt-proof and shock-proof rating it is perfect for listening to your music around the house, shower, pool, lake or the beach. An extendable handle makes it easy to carry it around on your trip, at your camp or backyard.

The Verdict? With a dual 15W speaker and passive sub-woofer with rugged water resistant coating, the Turcom Acousto Shock is one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers in terms of its portability and durability at a reasonable price. It has a good 8,000 mAh lithium ion battery which lasts for more than 7 hours of continuous playback, and you can even double it as a powerbank to charge your handphone or other devices via USB. We note that the slight distortion while taking phone calls could be a minus, and the water-resistant design is not entirely waterproof which may be a concern for some. That said, at this price range, the Turcom Acousto Shock has some really good specifications and sound performance that is hard to beat.

Special Mention: The NUU Wake Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

The NUU Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker is a highly advanced outdoor bluetooth speaker and is easily one of the best and the last portable outdoor speaker you will buy. This speaker is absolutely incredible in both design and sound performance. The sound system in this outdoor speaker comes with 2 woofers and 2 tweeters for superb sound quality and deep punchy bass. Playing at full volume our desks would shake from the bass. This speaker can really make some noise and the bass can really push some air! It is also waterproof up to 3 feet which provides incredible protection – if you were looking for purchase a portable speaker for camping/outdoor activities, then this outdoor speaker is an excellent choice.

To begin, this speaker went beyond all our expectations. Despite the NUU Wake’s rugged design, it has two 10W speaker drivers and DSP to improve pass performance, combined with a passive bass radiator to allow it to pump out big sound with full bass that goes the distance. The volume output of this speaker can go incredibly high (supports an outdoor party of 50 people) without any distortion. The highs and mids are crisp and clear. Surprisingly, this beast weighs only 3 pounds in total and is about 12 × 4 × 4 inches and even floats on water instead of submerging, so you never have to worry about dropping this into the river! This is such a relief over other conventional outdoor speakers that sink to the bottom or are not waterproof and cannot be submerged in water. The battery life is amazing: the battery lasts for up to 7 hours and you can even charge your phone when it runs out of battery too on this device.

The NUU Wake is designed like a tank. The Wake is IPX7 tested and approved, providing 100% waterproof protection (provided not submerged for long periods of time) and can withstand drops, dunks, and the most severe outdoor elements. It is ultra-rugged and built to stand up to the toughest environments and is very well suited for those adventurous outdoor hikers who want to listen to good music without having to worry about damaging the speaker. The Wake is truly exceptional in what it does – survive the outdoors and deliver exceptional sound performance.

The Verdict? The NUU Wake is the absolute champion and probably one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers (if not the very best) that money can buy. If you are undecided about which outdoor bluetooth speaker to buy, you can’t go wrong with these speakers.

Special Mention: The Sound Monkey Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker

The Sound Monkey is probably one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers in terms of build, design and portability. Straight out of the box, we were stunned by its very attractive design and the geometric pattern of diamond shaped holes in the silicone outer covering to reveal the actual speaker surface. It’s closely rivals the Splash SoundBox but excels in terms of design, durability and portability. The Sound Monkey weighs just over one pound. It is about 6 ¾ inches long and 2 ½ inches across. The outside of the speaker is covered in silicone with the speaker’s wire mesh underneath. There are openings all over the silicone that allow the sound to come out – and it looks great and feels very sturdy. The Sound Monkey features rich sound with 10 watts of total output driven by two 40mm drivers and a massive passive radiator for incredible sound quality.

Where the Sound Monkey excels is in terms of its portable design – it is very versatile and can stand up on its end or lay on its side. The rugged outdoor speaker features superior water resistant to play wherever you need to listen to your music. It has a solid piece of silicone on the bottom side as a base when laying it on its side. It has a carabiner clip on the end so you can clip it onto your backpack or bag and use it on the go. It also comes with an audio cable so you can plug it into your computer or phone and use it without Bluetooth or you can pair it via Bluetooth to any device. It also comes with a micro USB cable that you can use to charge it or you can use it while it is plugged in. The battery life is very good, with up to 10 hours of uninterrupted music on a single 4 hour charge from the high capacity 2000AH Lithium-ion rechargeable battery. One thing that really sealed the deal on this one was that it could also be used as a cell phone speaker. You could do whatever you needed to do and still talk on the phone without any hassle.

The sound output of the Sound Monkey is nothing to shout about but we were quite impressed with how good the sound fidelity is – the mids and highs are crisp and clear and the bass isin’t muddy at all. The slight downside is that the bass isin’t as punchy but that’s expected for an outdoor bluetooth speaker of this size and power. The speaker controls are easy to use – to raise or lower the volume, just hold down the + or – button on the top of the speaker. A simple press of the same buttons can rewind or fast forward music or video, which is a nice feature. It also features Bluetooth CSR4 connectivity for more efficient power consumption.

The Verdict? The Sound Monkey definitely deserves a spot here as one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers. It is a high quality, exceptionally designed, fully rugged and water resistant outdoor bluetooth speaker that you can take along on a rough hiking trip and not worry about it at all. Plus, its lightweight design and crisp sound makes this an amazing gadget worth checking out. At the time of writing, the Sound Monkey is available in gorilla black, mango orange, cabo azul blue and jungle green selections. At the time of writing, the Sound Monkey is selling at an amazing price point.

While this is not an outdoor speaker that you’d want to bring for a hiking/camping trip, the JBL Pulse outdoor bluetooth speaker a pretty swanky looking portable speaker that’s perfect for the outdoors on the beach or for a barbeque in the park. This speaker is ideal for small parties and get togethers. The JBL Pulse outdoor speaker sounds as good as its Bose counterpart (which costs more) and is well worth the money. What really makes the JBL Pulse stand out despite its lack of sturdiness is its sound quality and aesthetic appeal, which compensates for this speaker’s susceptibility to outdoor elements.

The sound of the JBL Pulse is excellent and mind-blowing. It produces clear loud sound at no distortion at high volumes and packs a decent amount of bass into the beats. The dual speaker system in the JBL Pulse delivers full-range sound – the highs and mids are crisp and have lots of clarity to them, which is rare for a speaker of this size. The music can be combined with a programmable LED light show via an easy to use app. We really liked the LED Pulse rhythms which was such a joy to look at. Streaming music wirelessly through a smart phone or bluetooth enabled device was easy. It also comes with an auxiliary port which allows you to hook up other devices.

The JBL Pulse has awesome batteries too that lasts for more than 8 hours straight. It’s rechargeable lithium-ion battery can also be charged via a USB cable, which is a nice added touch. This is probably one of the best outdoor bluetooth speaker in terms of looks and sound, but is more suited for outdoor parties rather than rough sport.

The Verdict? The JBL Pulse, while not a hardcore outdoor speaker, shines in the music department and has a fascinating LED display looks seriously cool and is perfect for outdoor gatherings.

Special Mention: Yantouch IceDiamond Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker

The Yantouch IceDiamond outdoor bluetooth speaker is not the kind of speaker you’d bring on an outdoor hiking trip, but it’s great for recreational outdoor activities (BBQs, chilling by the beach, etc.) The Yantouch IceDiamond makes it to this list as one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers purely for its portable and incredible design. The colors on the IceDiamond are fascinating – it features three synchronised lighting patterns – one for soft relaxing music, exciting rock and dance beats – which change according to the tempo of the music. It also features a high class woofer tube Neodymium “Super Magnet” stereo speaker system that creates awesome sound – the highs and mids are crisp and clear, and you can hear the punchy bass from this baby (although it sounds visibly different outdoors than indoors due to spatial constraints).

We really liked the design of this outdoor bluetooth speaker which made it look truly impressive and unique like a glowing diamond. It’s easy to carry around because of the size of the speaker: small and light-weighted. It also has a built-in li-polymer rechargeable battery for use outdoors or on the move (up to 10 hours battery life). It also has a dedicated “BedTime Social” app available for bluetooth wireless devices/PC integration and Facebook “remote whispers” messaging which is a nice added touch. The key thing about the IceDiamond is that it works well at home and outdoors – it is easy to control via bluetooth and is a great product for someone who needs a speaker that can connect with both computer or wireless device. The LED lights change with the beat of the music and are probably the most addictive thing about this awesome speaker.

The Verdict? The Yantouch IceDiamond is an exotic and versatile indoor/outdoor speaker, and is best suited for recreational outdoor activities were people can admire its incredibly swanky LED display and punchy beats.

Special Mention: The Pyle Splash SoundBox

Apart from its fabulous design that looks just stunning from the outset, the Pyle Splash Soundbox comes equipped with (2) wireless music streaming options – bluetooth & NFC. When we tested the Splash Soundbox, it sounded (surprisingly) very nicely for a sub-$100 marine-grade speaker. In addition, it can accept input from a 3.5mm aux cable included in the package, and is splash and shock proof. This speaker is rechargeable from a powered USB port via an included cable. It also accepts audio inputs from both bluetooth sources or a wired 3.5mm aux input on the speaker button.

But the main reason why the Splash SoundBox makes its way to one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers is the sound. It produces very nice sound – the mids and highs are clear, and the bass is very well defined without being muddy or over-emphasized. Do bear in mind that since this is an outdoor bluetooth speaker, the bass is not going to blow you away but is decent enough. Although this is not loud enough for the entire garden party, it will do just fine for a pool or deck area or around a tent. The tough rubber exterior and metal grills give this a very high-tech look and it also comes with a hook for a tie-down or hanging, which is useful for camping.

The Splash SoundBox, however, is very easily pairable with any bluetooth, iPhone or computer device. It is portable, durable and is the perfect companion for hiking trips. The battery states that it lasts 6 hours, but we used it all day long without any interruptions.

The only quibble we found with this device is that the packaging includes of a picture of the speaker semi-submerged in water – be aware the specification for liquid ingress is IPX4 (“water splashing against the enclosure shall have no harmful effect”). Although this speaker will definitely survive water ‘splashes’, it’s not meant to be submerged entirely in water.

The verdict? The Pyle is a hardcore and one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers that is built to be slammed around. It has a very rigid rubber case and a heavy, study feel. The sound is full and rich, although not overpowering. It is a great dollar for dollar investment for outdoor junkies.

Special Mention: The Iselector Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker

The Iselector Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker is hands down one of the most amazing portable outdoor speakers. It gives you extremely loud, but still 100% clear music. At first by the look of its size you’d probably dismiss this speaker, but we were thoroughly surprised. Whenever we switch this outdoor speaker on we never go pass half the volume because it is so good. There is no fuzz or sound distortion when a max volumes and gives decent bass output. The music sounds good with clear mids and highs. The Iselector does seem to accentuate the treble a bit more than bass, but this does transfer gloriously to most music genres and only really noticeable in genres like Hip Hop.

What we really liked about this speaker that makes it truly one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers is that It gives you a sense of security with how durable and compact it feels. It doesn’t feel like it will fall apart on you if you throw it or drop it on the floor. If you are looking for an outdoor speaker to take with you on a camping/hiking trip that requires exposure to outdoor elements, then this speaker is something you should consider. It features a IPX6 Splash-Proof & Shock-Resistant Design with a built-in 2000mAh rechargeable battery, which can be charged via a standard micro USB connection.

The color of the Iselector is flat out awesome. The army green really gives this speaker a truly appealing look – you’ll bound to get lots of compliments just bringing this outdoor speaker around. The charging port is located on the bottom of the unit inside a well-designed rubber flap. There is also an audio port, for connecting a non-bluetooth device. The speaker also features a voice output which speakers when the power button is pressed, and indicates when connected to bluetooth. This is definitely a nice added touch which makes this one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers on the list.

The Verdict? The Iselector Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker is an amazing portable outdoor bluetooth speaker, with its stylish design and clear crisp sound, although lacking somewhat in the bass department.

Special Mention: The SoundPal Free Spirit

The SoundPal Free Spirit is one of the best outdoor bluetooth speakers in the market. It can reach a very nice decimal level at max volume. Combine the max decimal level with the fact that the unit puts out a great deal of bass for an outdoor bluetooth speaker priced under $50 and you have an excellent speaker for breaches, BBQs, poolside, camping, etc. It produces high fidelity sound quality – the stereo is nothing to shout about but it’s loud and cool for a speaker of this size. The bass response is good too, which is surprising given the price range of this outdoor bluetooth speaker. It also has NFC for easy, hassle free fasting-pairing with your device.

The SoundPal Fre Spirit features nice add-ons such as the built in mic so it can not only play the audio of your telephone conversations but you can talk in the device as well. If you car doesn’t have bluetooth this makes for a very good stereo if you factor in the cost versus alternatives.

This outdoor bluetooth speaker is also very well constructed. It features an good durable design that’s water-resistant, shockproof & dustproof. It is IPX3 rated for water-resistance (although it will not survive full immersion in water). The Free Spirit 12’s rugged design helps shield the speaker compartments from accidental drops and environment hazards. The front and rear plates are each secured by 8 screws. The plastic is well attached and will reduce shock and force if the speaker is dropped. The design is built to resist water and looks effective overall.

The good thing about the Free Spirit is that you can use it with practically any audio device since it has aux capability. It charges quickly under 4 hours and has a solid run time of about 8 hours. The Bluetooth range is amazing at ~66 feet range. The speaker is also streamlined and light at 12oz, which makes it perfect for hiking/outdoor adventures.

The Verdict? A fully versatile and cost-effective portable bluetooth outdoor speaker under $50. If you are on budget and looking for a speaker within this price range, look no further.

Buying Guide – Check out our top picks for 2018

Waterproof vs water-resistance Some outdoor Bluetooth speakers are designed to be “waterproof” whereas some are “water-resistant”. There is a crucial difference here – waterproof means that the speaker is fully submersible in water and will be fully water-resistant up to a certain depth (usually 1 meter) in the water. Water resistant outdoor speakers, on the other hand, are built to withstand gentle splashes of water that originate from rain or by the poolside. These outdoor Bluetooth speakers are therefore not suited for use if you intend to totally submerge it underwater.

So how can you tell whether a speaker is waterproof or just merely water-resistant? The outdoor Bluetooth speaker will have an IP Code (Ingress Protection Rating or International Protection Rating) which shows you the extent to which it can resist water and other outdoor elements. The IP rating determines the degree of protection provided against outdoor elements such as dust, shock resistant and water exposure. Generally, an outdoor Bluetooth speaker with a higher IP rating will be better protected and much more resistant to outdoor elements.

What are the IPX ratings? The IPX ratings generally range from 0 to 7, with 0 giving the lowest protection and 7 giving the highest protection. What kind of protection you need for your outdoor Bluetooth speaker depends on the level of outdoor activity that you intend to use the speaker for. We set out the IP ratings below from 0 to 7 to show the level of water-resistant available for different types of outdoor speakers.

IPX-0: The speaker has no protection from outdoor elements and cannot be exposed to water. These type of speakers are more suited from home or indoor use.

IPX-1: The speaker is protected against dripping water (such as gentle rain drops) on the speaker. This works out to be roughly equivalent to 1mm of rainfall per minute.

IPX-2: The speaker is water-resistant to dripping water up to a 15 degree angle (when titled slightly). This means that dripping water has practically no effect on the speaker when dripped vertically or at a tilted angle. It corresponds to about 3mm of rainfall per minute.

IPX-3: The speaker is water-resistant to water sprays from any angle up to 60 degrees on the side. It is also resistant to about 0.7 litres of water per minute and slide splashes on the speaker.

IPX-4: Outdoor Bluetooth speakers with a IPX-4 water-resistant rating are fully resistant to water splashes from any angle or direction. The water volume which it can resist is up to 10 litres of water per minute being constantly splashed on the speaker. Most outdoor Bluetooth speakers fall into this category with very good splash resistance.

IPX-5: Outdoor speakers with an IPX-5 water resistance are, in addition to being fully resistant to splashes, can tolerate water jets and direct water impact from a nozzle against the enclosure from any direction. This works out to be 12.5 litres per minute.

IPX-6: Outdoor speakers with an IPX-6 rating are immune to water projected from powerful jets onto the speaker enclosure from any direction. This type of speakers are resistant to the most direct and impactful form of water contact and can resist up to 100 litres of direct water per minute.

IPX-7: Speakers with an IPX-7 waterproof rating are capable of being fully submerged in water for up to a 1 meter depth without any issues. This type of waterproof rating is one of the strongest you can find in outdoor Bluetooth speakers and practically means that you can take it for use in the beach or at the pool without having to worry about water getting into the internal circuitry.

IPX-8: While we have not encountered any outdoor Bluetooth speaker with this rating, an IPX-8 rating means that the speaker can be immersed to a depth beyond 1 meter up to a depth to be specified by the manufacturer. This type of speaker is suitable for continuous immersion in water without any issues.

Does waterproof protection affect sound performance? Broadly speaking, this would depend on the design of the speaker. A speaker that has a fully waterproof casing could mean that it has very tight openings for sound to travel through, meaning that the sound may come out hollow or tinny. A fully waterproof speaker is also unlikely to have passive bass radiators or integrated subwoofers because water can get through these openings if fully submerged. This is why our experts have tested every single speaker to ensure that they produce the best sound quality with a fully waterproof or water resistant design. The very best outdoor Bluetooth speakers are designed to be fully waterproof and can produce the best sound quality from a small and compact size. We have listed these outdoor speakers at the very top of this list.

aptX Bluetooth Streaming AptX Bluetooth streaming is a form of Bluetooth streaming that takes advantage of the aptX codec. This enables music to be streamed “lossy” over the Bluetooth connection when aptX is enabled – “lossy” means that unwanted data that does not impact sound performance is deliberately dropped while other data that improves sound performance is transmitted through. This results in “CD-like” sound quality because only data that maximize sound quality are transmitted via Bluetooth to the speaker. Choosing a speaker with aptX Bluetooth streaming will generally only be useful if your music audio source file is of high quality (i.e., FLAC music files). Furthermore, both the outdoor Bluetooth speaker and your mobile device needs to have the aptX streaming functionality enabled before it will work. We have selected the very best outdoor Bluetooth speakers with aptX streaming listed above to provide the best sound performance possible from a compact design.

NFC Pairing NFC pairing, or Near-Field Communication Pairing, helps the speaker recognise your Bluetooth device automatically. This allows the speaker to automatically pair with your Bluetooth device the moment it detects it on the network, helping you to save time by needing to constantly pair the speaker with your Bluetooth device. We have selected some of the best outdoor Bluetooth speakers with NFC pairing – the NFC pairing will work the second time you pair your speaker to your mobile device – it will automatically pair and recognise your device without you having to lift a finger. This is especially convenient if you need to use your speaker outdoors and helps you save time having to rediscover your speaker on the network and pair again.

Battery Life As a general rule it is a great idea to choose an outdoor Bluetooth speaker with the best battery life, especially if you intend to use it for long hiking trips or all-day adventures. The battery life of a speaker is measured in mAh and the higher the mAh value the better capacity the battery. That being said, battery life does take up some space in the speaker and a high capacity speaker will usually require a larger size speaker. We have selected outdoor Bluetooth speakers with the best combination of portability and battery life so that you can easily take them around without having to worry about constantly recharging them on the go. The very best outdoor Bluetooth speakers in this category have an average battery life of 8 to 10 hours on a single charge, although the battery life will depend in part on the volume output settings. We have also encountered speakers that have so much battery power that they can double up as power banks to charge your USB devices.

Durability and Portability Arguably the most important factor to look out for, the durability and portability are essential in choosing the best outdoor Bluetooth speaker. This will save you a lot of trouble and worry in the future, as the last thing you want to have to worry about on an outdoor trip is whether the speaker will suddenly fail on you. That being said, how durable the speaker needs to be depends in part on what kind of outdoor activities you need to use the speaker for – if you need a Bluetooth speaker for an outdoor party, then a less rugged option would be better. Portable and rugged speakers are specially designed to resist dust, waterproof, shock and dirt and generally whatever outdoor elements that you can throw at it. You should also look out for how heavy the speaker weighs as this may affect how portable it is – we would not recommend carrying a heavy Bluetooth speaker on a camping trip which might weigh you down too much on the journey.

We have done most of the research here and selected the best outdoor Bluetooth speakers based on their durability and portability – the very best speakers on this list can produce excellent sound quality and feature a durable and portable design that you can take with you on the go.

The Technology Behind Great Wireless Audio

Even some of the best WiFi speakers used to provide inferior sound regardless of how much money you spent on them. However, if you are looking to go wireless, there has never been a better time. Wireless audio technology has finally caught up with the rest of the market with new wireless standards.

Not only is the quality on par with wired options, but you can gain a lot of usability due to the enhanced features offered by wireless products in the audio market. Below, we will be going over some of the different things that you should be aware of when you are shopping for the best wifi speaker.

Technology:

The main thing that you are going to want to understand when you are in the process of shopping for wireless speakers is the technology behind them. There are a variety of wireless standards that you will want to familiarize yourself with because they each come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is likely going to be the wireless protocol you end up buying. Since its initial introduction, Bluetooth technology has grown considerably. While it is still typically handicapped by overall distance of usability, these chips can be found in just about every single smart device on the market including computers, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones.

The good thing about Bluetooth technology is that it does not need a network to connect devices. Therefore, it is extremely accessible to use. While Bluetooth used to require concessions in terms of quality, it is now a viable alternative to wired solutions.

In fact, it has become so reliable that a lot of mobile phone manufacturers have begun to rely on it as the sole way to output audio on their devices by getting rid of the wired jack on their respective devices.

NFC

Another wireless protocol that you might hear about while you are shopping for your wireless speakers is NFC. This particular protocol adds a good amount of convenience to your usage of the wireless device, but is in no way important to being satisfied with your purchase.

Not only does it have extremely limited range as it requires you to touch your device to the speaker itself, but it isn’t available on every single smart device. So it’s not necessarily a universal standard being offered.

Wi-Fi

While Bluetooth has quickly become a viable alternative to wireless audio, Wi-Fi in a lot of ways remains the gold standard. Not only can it offer a lot more features that your speaker can utilize, but it can even be linked up to a NAS storage device or other media servers for enhanced multi-room streaming support.

Because a majority of people have high speed Internet access, it is also going to provide enhanced quality as it will allow you to play high resolution audio files. The biggest disadvantage of Wi-Fi as a connection tool is the fact that it is typically going to be tied to a local network. Therefore, it doesn’t offer the same level of portability as Bluetooth since that technology doesn’t require an Internet connection.

Airplay

Another connection standard that you are going to want to be at least familiar with is Airplay. This particular standard is actually Apple’s proprietary way of sending files and videos over Wi-Fi or directly to other Apple devices. The biggest downside of this standard is that very few devices have it integrated into the hardware. And those that do are typically going to cost much more due to them having to pay Apple for the license and passing the extra cost onto the consumers.

DLNA

This particular protocol for transmitting files, music, and video over Wi-Fi is another one that is semi-popular. This is the default way to send information if you are utilizing an Android device. While this protocol is typically available across a lot of devices, it is not the most reliable and tends to be very slow.

Portability:

If you are tasked with finding the ideal wireless speaker, you are going to want to first understand your needs and figure out which products on the market address them. When figuring out which speakers will offer you the right amount of portability and performance, you will need to look at the overall size of the speakers in question and what protocol it uses. Your best bet for optimal portability will be Bluetooth as it requires no Internet to function.

Budget:

You will also want to pay close attention to your overall budget. There are a variety of wireless speakers available on the market that hit just about every budget from extremely affordable to exorbitantly expensive. The good news is, there are good performing speakers at just about every price point that you can think of. So, your budget does not necessarily mean that you have to sacrifice too much in terms of overall sound quality and performance.

By figuring out what kind of speaker you need and weighing your budget with the kind of value you can expect in the speaker, you should be able to find the sweet spot on the market in terms of price to performance.

Best Bluetooth Car Speaker

The best Bluetooth speakers for car use are a little bit different to the ones we have looked at so far. There really isn’t anything stopping you from taking any of the above products and using them in your car. They will work just fine and give you hours of audio. Even for long drives this will work perfectly.

The problem is that the devices above are all specifically designed for use at home. Their size and design and not always suitable for use in the car. Plus, you will likely also want to have some hands-free functionality. If you don’t have a passenger, then you do not want to be reaching for your smartphone to try and find the right menus and buttons.

That’s why you want to look for a speakerphone set that combines easy to use buttons to make and answer calls, skip tracks and adjust the volume. These should ideally be accessible at or near the steering wheel. Fortunately, there are several products on the market, and we have taken a look at them to see what is best suitable.

While there are really cheap options available we have found that they will not give you all the functionality you need. If you spend a lot of time in the car, and yours doesn’t have full BT integration or Carplay, then you will not go far wrong with the SuperTooth Buddy.

To avoid having to constantly plug it in, this device comes with great battery life. You can speak for 20 hours, or have it on standby for 1000 hours. And when it does run out of battery, it’ll only take 3 hours to fully charge again.

It only takes a few minutes to install. It will easily clip onto the sun visor or even a vent near the steering wheel. That way you do not have to go looking for the buttons to answer or make calls.

It uses the latest BT technology and will pair up to two different phones. If you have a personal and business phone, then this is an ideal solution. And every time you leave your car, you do not have to pair it again. It will automatically detect your devices when you get back.

If you are concerned about audio quality for calls, then this is what you need to buy. It filters out and cancels all road noise, so that only your voice is transmitted. Also, you might be in a very noisy environment on the road. So you want to be able to hear your callers. This avoids making you sound unprofessional. And SuperTooth more than delivers when it comes to sound.

Overall, this is a great product that is very easy to set up. It will take no more than 5 minutes to unpack and get set up. It is not the cheapest option, but it is one that delivers more than anything else on the market. Check out the reviews online to see how many people have recommended it.

Conclusion:

Among the top 10 picks we have covered above, our best pick would be the Cambridge SoundWorks Oontz Angle Wireless Speaker because of its strong, durable build and clear, stunning sound quality. It is easy to connect, offers superior quality and is portable along with being water resistant.